4 Day Rwanda Akagera Express Guided Motorcycle Tour

Day 1: Kigali - Nyagatare (162 km / 100 mi)

Leaving the busy city roads behind, you ride smaller country roads towards the north. You hit the main road again for a short while before you enter a small off-road track that leads you into the small town of Nyagatare

Day 2: Nyagatare - Akagera (157 km / 97 mi)

You drive south, through hot, low-lying plains. You can enjoy empty stretches of new highway, where digital speed cameras monitor your speed. However, you will certainly also drive some gravel roads along Akagera National Park, a long protected area running north to south that borders Tanzania. The park encompasses savanna, woodland, and wetlands, and a dozen lakes. After the near-eradication of poaching in just five years, lions and black rhinos were reintroduced between 2015 and 2018, and white rhinos were introduced in 2021 as part of a conservation effort to protect these species.

Day 3: Akagera - Nyanza (205 km / 127 mi)

Early morning starts with an optional game drive, and after a late breakfast, you depart for your ride south. You enter the district of many lakes through nice gravel roads and cut along the Burundi border towards the west. Part of today’s ride will be on gravel and dirt roads, with several smaller tracks in between. Nyanza is a small country town where not much seems to happen, but it comes alive at night.

Day 4: Nyanza - Kigali (125 km / 77 mi)

The first few hours will be gravel and dirt roads crossing many rivers through a tea plantation area. The last few hours of the day will be a bit busier approaching Kigali.

Motorbikes

During this tour, you will ride a Haojin 200cc motorcycle.

Difficulty and off-road conditions

Daily distances are not very long. There is enough time for photo stops along the route and visits to villages. This tour is suitable for all healthy motorcyclists. The route follows asphalted main roads and frequently includes a variety of narrow off-the-beaten-track routes. About one-third of the route is on unpaved roads. These vary from hard-packed gravel roads to small dirt tracks through thick bush. The unpaved roads are not difficult, but basic off-road riding skills are recommended.

Bike rental deposit

Bike rental and the deposit fee are included in the package, so customers do not need to arrange this themselves. However, the price does not cover any damage costs during the trip. If any parts are damaged and cannot be repaired on the spot, Zebra Trails will have them checked at a garage, and the cost will be confirmed after the trip.

Riding gear

Riding gear is not included, so customers will need to bring their own. A helmet is mandatory, and Zebra Trails strongly encourages riders to bring proper riding gear for safety, as you will be riding every day during the trip.

Clothing

Compulsory items include a helmet, a motorcycle jacket with protection, gloves, strong motorcycle trousers with protection or separate knee armour, and sturdy high motorcycle boots. It is also recommended to bring sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen, and either a helmet with a visor or protective glasses suitable for dust on unpaved roads.

Skill levels

Beginner:

• Can ride for 2-3 hours
• Minimal riding experience
• Assistance required
• Comfortable with curves and leans
• Basic experience with unsurfaced roads
• Short distance ascents and descents

Intermediate:

• Can ride for 3-4 hours
• Average riding experience
• Little assistance required
• Comfortable with extreme curves and leans
• Average experience with unsurfaced roads
• Steep ascents and descents

Advanced:

• Can ride for 5-6 hours
• Extensive riding experience
• Assistance on demand (if required)
• Experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
• Comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions